The First Chief Rabbi of the Ottoman Empire: The Remarkable Life of Rabbi Moshe Capsali

A New Era for the Jews of Turkey

In the summer of 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople (Istanbul), bringing an end to the Byzantine Christian Empire, the first Christian regime to persecute Jews, dating back nearly a thousand years. In stark contrast, the sultan opened the gates of his empire to Jewish refugees. He allowed them to build homes, synagogues, and study halls and permitted them to engage freely in trade and skilled labor.

Jews from across Europe, fleeing persecution in Christian lands, began arriving in Constantinople and other cities throughout the Ottoman Empire. There, they established new centers of vibrant Jewish life under Muslim protection.

One of the most influential figures in Sultan Mehmed’s court was his Jewish physician, Chakham Yaakov, whom the sultan appointed as Minister of Finance due to his exceptional talents and personal integrity. Chakham Yaakov often used his influence to benefit the Jewish community. The spiritual leader of Ottoman Jewry at that time was Rabbi Moshe Capsali, the empire’s first official Chief Rabbi, known in Turkish as the Chakham Bashi.

A Humble Scholar and National Organizer

Little is known about Rabbi Moshe Capsali’s personal life, but he came from a distinguished rabbinic family and studied in the great yeshivot of Ashkenaz and other lands, earning a reputation as an exceptional scholar.

As Chief Rabbi, he brilliantly organized Jewish communal life across the empire. He appointed rabbis and community leaders and managed tax collection for the sultan fairly and with integrity. The sultan trusted him completely and granted him full authority in his role. Under Rabbi Capsali’s leadership, the Jewish population of the Ottoman Empire flourished both materially and spiritually, contributing significantly to the welfare of the broader society.

During this period of Jewish renaissance, the Karaite sect, Jews who rejected the Oral Torah, also began reorganizing. Though their numbers and influence had declined sharply over the centuries, some Karaites, inspired by the Ottoman tolerance, began returning from places like Crimea and Egypt. Some asked rabbis to teach them Torah, and several scholars agreed, hoping to draw them back to mainstream Judaism. But Rabbi Capsali opposed teaching them Oral Torah, asserting that they would not accept it regardless.

Despite his elevated position and the immense respect he commanded, Rabbi Moshe Capsali remained modest and unassuming. He lived in poverty, fasted frequently, and conducted himself with humility and piety. His righteousness and fear of Heaven became legendary among his contemporaries.

A Slander Campaign and Rabbinic Controversy

Yet even such a respected figure had enemies. Jealous rivals resented his success and sought to undermine him. They eventually incited the great Italian sage Rabbi Yosef Colon (the Maharik) against Rabbi Capsali, despite the two never having met.

The conflict originated in Jerusalem. Though the Jewish presence there had never ceased, its community was impoverished and suffered under harsh rule. At the time, a group of Italian Jews lived there, and when Ashkenazic Jews later joined them, they were poorly received. As a result, the Ashkenazic Jews bore a disproportionate share of the heavy taxes levied by the Egyptian sultan. Many were forced to leave the city, leaving the burden on the impoverished Italian Jews.

Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura, who visited Jerusalem in 1488, found only 70 Jewish families, down from 300, and accepted the position of chief rabbi to help restore order despite the dire conditions.

Meanwhile, emissaries from Jerusalem, including one known as Rabbi Moshe “Twenty-Four” (a reference to the 24 books of the Bible), traveled abroad seeking donations. When he arrived in Constantinople, he appealed to Rabbi Capsali. But due to a war between the Ottoman and Egyptian sultans, transferring funds to Egyptian-held territories, including Jerusalem, was strictly forbidden. Rabbi Capsali, unable to officially endorse the campaign, helped in unofficial ways.

This emissary turned against Rabbi Capsali, joining forces with those who envied his stature. They drafted a slanderous letter and sent it to Rabbi Colon in Italy. Believing the false accusations, Rabbi Colon responded with fury, issuing a harsh letter demanding that Rabbi Capsali resign and that communities no longer recognize him as Chief Rabbi.

For two years, the emissary delayed publishing the letter, but eventually, Rabbi Capsali learned of it. He convened the Jewish leadership and shared the contents and their baseless origins. The community was outraged that such lies had deceived a great sage.

Rabbi Capsali then wrote respectfully but firmly to Rabbi Colon, rebuking him for believing false reports. A heated rabbinic dispute ensued across multiple countries. Ultimately, Rabbi Colon realized he had been misled. Deeply pained, he sent his son, Rabbi Peretz, to Constantinople to ask Rabbi Capsali’s forgiveness. The Chakham Bashi received him warmly and granted full forgiveness. He reportedly wept upon hearing that Rabbi Colon was on his deathbed.

A Final Act of Heroism: Helping the Exiles of Spain

In his old age, tragedy struck the Jewish world with the expulsion from Spain in 1492. King Ferdinand forced the Jews to leave under brutal and humiliating conditions. Rabbi Moshe Capsali rose to the occasion. Despite his advanced age, he traveled across the empire raising funds to ransom captives, since many Spanish Jews had fallen into the hands of pirates and were sold into slavery.

With permission from the sultan, Rabbi Capsali even imposed a special tax on Ottoman Jews to fund the effort. The community responded generously. Thanks to his leadership, many refugees were rescued and brought to Constantinople, where they were welcomed with dignity and compassion.

Rabbi Moshe Capsali passed away three years later, at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, humility, and service that helped shape the future of Jewish life in the Ottoman Empire.